It took longer than expected, but former Iowa Women's Basketball star Lucy Olsen finally heard her name called during the 2025 WNBA Draft on Monday night. Olsen will get her chance in the WNBA after being selected by the Washington Mystics with the 11th pick of the second round (No. 23 overall).
Before joining the Hawkeyes, Olsen was extremely successful in three years with the Villanova Wildcats. She averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in 105 games for Nova. This includes averaging 23.3 points per game during her junior year, third in the nation behind Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins.
Olsen earned Big East All-Rookie Team (2021-2022), Second Team All-Big East (2022-2023), and First Team All-Big East (2023-2024) while playing for the Wildcats.
Olsen transferred to Iowa to gain more recognition on the national stage. The nation took notice after she averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds en route to earning First Team All-Big Ten and All-American Honorable Mention awards.
As the competition grew more fierce, Olsen did as well. She led the Hawkeyes down the stretch and took over in important games. Now she takes her talents to the WNBA as a member of the Washington Mystics.
With the 23rd pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft the @WashMystics select Lucy Olsen! @LucyOlsenbball x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/qIYWInYsBj
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 15, 2025
Olsen joins first-round picks Sonia Citron (Notre Dame), Kiki Iriafen (USC), and Georgia Amoore (Kentucky) as well as third-round pick Zaay Green (Alabama) in Washington.
The Mystics struggled mightily last season. They finished with a 14-26 overall record and in second to last place in the Eastern Conference. Washington had a haul of draft picks in this year's draft and will use the talent they drafted to rebuild their roster.
Washington's backcourt will need help after trading away Ariel Atkins and Karlie Samuelson, and Olsen can fill that void. Olsen will likely come off the bench as a backup for newly drafted guards Citron and Amoore, or can give some minutes at the wing position.
Olsen has the offensive skill set to play either guard position, but must improve her three-point shooting to play meaningful minutes in the WNBA.
Olsen joins a list of five former Hawkeyes drafted into the WNBA in the last seven years. This list includes Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin (2024), Monika Czinano (2023), Kathleen Doyle (2022), and Megan Gustafson (2019).
The Washington Mystics tip-off the 2025-2026 season on Friday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time in Washington, DC against the Atlanta Dream.